Carlos Ulberg wins 20th UFC title for Australia and New Zealand

Carlos Ulberg's victory represents the 20th UFC title won by fighters from Australia and New Zealand, though officially recorded as 19 because the UFC incorrectly removed title status from the Whittaker-Romero rematch. When adjusted for population, Australia and New Zealand lead all continents with one title victory per 1.6 million people, surpassing North America (1 per 2.3 million) and far ahead of South America, Russia/CIS, and Western Europe. The region's combat sports success extends beyond MMA to boxing, with current and former world champions including Jay Opetaia, Joseph Parker, George Kambosos, and Tim Tszyu. Australia ranked 4th in the 2024 Paris Olympics medal count with 18 golds, while New Zealand, with only 5 million people, ranked 11th with 10 medals, making it the least populated country in the top 20. Roman Fomichev, UFC PI director of sports science, credits Australian sports science as among the best, if not the best, in the world.